Chicago Bears DT Henry Melton Carted Off Field with Left Knee Injury

Sep 22, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes under pressure from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton left Heinz Field on a cart during the Bears’ Sunday Night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an apparent knee injury.

Melton, who is playing 2013 under the franchise tag, was rushing Ben Roethlisberger when he seemed to take a bad step and his left knee buckled.  He fell to the ground and stayed down for a while.

Melton missed most of the preseason as he suffered a concussion in the first series of the first preseason game.  He suited up by Week 1, but had been pretty ineffective for the Bears in his first two games.  In the Cover-2 base defense the Bears play, the 3-technique tackle is a key in the pass rush.

In Melton’s absence, Nate Collins will have to step up alongside Stephen Paea to fill the void at DT.  The Bears picked up promising undrafted free agent Zach Minter, but he hasn’t dressed the first three weeks.  That looks like it’s about to change.

Stay tuned to Bear Goggles On for the latest on Melton’s injury.